Am leaving an 'outstanding' school to teach in one that is 'inadequate'

[mrscraig]

...am I mad???!!! Was really excited when offered post, now worried I'm letting myself in for untold stress...
Was wondering if anyone could give me some tips about what to expect. Thanks

[HedgeHogGroup]

In one school the only way is up, in the other the only way is down.

Working in a challenging school is very rewarding, very hard work but the rewards will come quickly.

I'd do it!

[Inclusionist]

I'd do it too. But I love a sh*tstorm!!

[Inthebeginning]

I work in a bad school- It's fab! Would find an outstanding school boring. Nothing to get your teeth into and improve :)

[MrsHeggulePoirot]

No - sounds brilliant! I am at outstanding school, but looking to move to a non-outstanding school so am a little bit

Inadequate schools generally get a fair amount of support, new leadership etc.. and look to try new things and make changes which can be very exciting and rewarding!

[TheNebulousBoojum]

I loved it, it felt as if you were making a real difference to the lives of children and their futures. We went from inadequate to good and then I left. Last OFSTED was outstanding.
What to expect? A lot of key pointers as to areas that need improving and the changes that need to happen. Useful.
Lots of input from outside the school from experts. Some of whom may be useful.
Chances to link with other schools who have strengths your school currently lacks.

[StuffezLaBouche]

Just be careful. My last school was in the shit for the whole three years I was there. The current managemnt's solution was to imcrease paperwork/pointless tasks by about 300% and scapegoat convenient people. Some schools are in the shit for a reason, and you might end up at one where the difficult characters are still clinging on.

[porridgewithblueberries]

Oh gosh, very positive posts here and I hate to be the voice of doom but my experience of working in a school with notice to improve and subsequently special measures is not a happy one. It was dire - behaviour was awful, lacklustre, disaffected staff, panicked, snappy, stressed senior leadership team.

I have worked in an outstanding school in the past - it was much better than the doom and gloom of special measures although it did bring with it its own challenges - 'are we outstanding today?' was the Head's mantra!

I hope it goes well but don't think it'll be easier; chances are it will be far tougher.

[chocolatespiders]

Would you move a child from an inadequate school if they were in year 5 (with one year left) the child is a struggling summer baby and I worry how they will cope when moving on to an Outstanding secondary school.

[Startail]

my DDs "special measures school" was good 4 years ago, it's results have gone up in each of those 4 years!

Ofsted move in mysterious ways, Children need good dedicated teachers regardless.

And yes you will get extra crap, DDs report SLT and other inspector bods appearing in lessons and asking do you know your targets, understand this lesson, does your book get marked etc. and some of the teachers looking mighty pissed off.

[mrscraig]

Thanks for replies. I am starting the new school after Easter so haven't got the option to back out anyway! I really don't want to. I loved the school the second I walked through the door... you know when you get 'the feeling'!
I think it will be a different sort of pressure than working in an outstanding school. My current school plies on the pressure, it's common practice to go in on weekends, stay until at least 6 every day and have endless meetings about imminent ofsted inspections. The new school is having a major change over in terms of staff, including head, so the only way is up I suppose.

[MrsSalvoMontalbano]

Watching this with interest, as I am hoping to start teacher training soon as maths teacher, (am very old, career change from industry). Everyone thinks I am mad, because despite heavy hints being dropped by the outstanding school I am observing in that really I should apply to them, my first preference is a nearby inadequate school which has been shunned by parents for years. Like the OP, I just liked it when I walked in, like the teachers I met who were ding a difficlut job with positive attitude - the kids were 'unpolished' but I'd rather work with children whose way out of poverty is education, that those who just need a few more A*s to get into a better university... (and the latter include my own DC)